Military wildfire-fighting air tankers that are in Cheyenne, Wyo., this week for training before the fire season begins in earnest.
This nozzle can blast 3,000 gallons of pressurized retardant onto a wildfire in just five seconds. Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY

The military pilots who fly these C-130 cargo planes fitted with firefighting equipment say the work is dangerous because they are often flying slow and low to the ground before dropping 3,000 gallons of retardant on a wildfire. Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY

Military pilots climb aboard a C-130 cargo plane fitted with special firefighting equipment at the Wyoming Air National Guard base in Cheyenne. The plane can drop up to 3,000 gallons of retardant on a wildfire in just five seconds. Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY

Military C-130 cargo planes fitted with special firefighting equipment are in Cheyenne, Wyo., this week for pilot training before the West's wildfire season begins. Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY

High winds on Wednesday grounded this and other military wildfire-fighting air tankers that are in Cheyenne, Wyo., this week for training before the fire season begins in earnest. Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY

This C-130 cargo plane can drop up to 3,000 gallons of retardant on a wildfire in just five seconds through a large nozzle installed on the plane's left side. Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY

Lt. Col. Alan Brown explains the workings of a special military cargo plane fitted with a tank that can dump up to 3,000 gallons of water onto a wildfire. Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY